Pouch-type battery cell including a foam layer and battery module including the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pouch-type battery cell, including: a battery case made of a laminate sheet including an inner adhesive layer, a metal layer, and an outer coating layer; an electrode assembly accommodated in the battery case; and a foam layer coated onto an outer surface of the outer coating layer of any one of a first surface or a second surface of an electrode assembly storage unit of the battery case, wherein the foam layer mitigates volume expansion of the pouch-type battery cell, and thus can minimize deformation of the pouch-type battery cell and a battery module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0002833, filed on January 8, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This invention relates to a pouch cell including a foam layer and a battery module including the pouch cell. More specifically, this invention relates to a pouch cell including a foam layer capable of accommodating the volume expansion of the pouch cell without additional cushioning components, and a battery module including the pouch cell. Background Technology

[0003] Lithium-ion batteries are widely used as a power source for medium to large devices such as vehicles or energy storage systems, as well as for small devices such as portable electronic devices. In the case of lithium-ion batteries used in medium to large devices, multiple lithium-ion batteries are electrically connected to each other to increase their capacity and output, and pouch-type batteries, which are easy to stack and lightweight, are widely used.

[0004] When using pouch cells to manufacture battery modules or battery packs, the individual cells are positioned in close contact with each other to increase energy density. Furthermore, to further increase energy density, methods can be considered to reduce empty space in individual cells, battery modules, or battery packs and decrease the volume of air paths.

[0005] The volume of a lithium-ion secondary battery changes due to the expansion and contraction of the electrode assembly during repeated charge and discharge cycles. Thickness expansion of individual cells within a confined space can cause deformation of the battery pack, where the cells are arranged in close contact with each other. To prevent this problem, buffer components can be incorporated into the cell stack, which consists of multiple stacked cells, to accommodate or cushion the volume expansion of the individual cells. Foam pads made of polyurethane or silicone resin can be used as these buffer components.

[0006] Since foam pads cannot be manufactured independently, polyurethane foam is typically coated onto a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film and grown thereon. When using foam pads manufactured through the above process, a separate foam pad manufacturing process, independent of the battery cell manufacturing process, is required. Furthermore, the thickness of the PET film used to grow the foam pad unnecessarily increases the volume of the battery cell stack.

[0007] Patent Document 1 discloses a soft pack for a secondary battery, comprising a hot-melt layer, a rubber barrier layer, and an outer protective layer stacked sequentially. In Patent Document 1, a rubber barrier layer is used instead of a barrier layer made of metal material, thus preventing the use of laminates containing aluminum layers commonly used in battery casings.

[0008] Patent document 2 discloses a secondary battery comprising a support housing configured to surround an electrode assembly and a foam member located between the electrode assembly and the support housing.

[0009] In Patent Document 2, a foam component capable of absorbing or discharging electrolyte is provided in the battery casing to minimize performance degradation caused by the expansion of the electrode assembly. However, no technology for buffering the expansion of the battery casing is proposed.

[0010] Patent document 3 discloses a secondary battery made of a laminate comprising an outer coating, a metal layer and a sealant layer, wherein the laminate further comprises a shock-absorbing layer configured to absorb physical impacts applied from the outside.

[0011] In Patent Document 3, a damping layer is provided between the outer coating and the metal layer or between the metal layer and the sealant layer. Therefore, in order to manufacture a battery cell, a laminate in which the damping layer is provided must be prepared separately.

[0012] However, no technology has been proposed that can prevent damage to the battery pack due to the expansion of individual cells by using laminates that include commonly used outer coatings, metal layers and inner adhesive layers, and simplify the manufacturing process of individual cells, thereby improving productivity.

[0013] (Existing technical literature)

[0014] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2017-0045976 (April 28, 2017) (“Patent Document 1”)

[0015] (Patent Document 2) Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2020-0109153 (September 22, 2020) (“Patent Document 2”)

[0016] (Patent Document 3) Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2017-0009495 (January 25, 2017) (“Patent Document 3”) Summary of the Invention

[0017] Technical issues

[0018] The present invention was made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a pouch cell and a battery module including the pouch cell, wherein the pouch cell is configured such that even when the pouch cells are arranged in close contact with each other in a stack of battery cells without additional buffer members, the volume expansion of the pouch cells can be absorbed, thereby preventing the battery module from deforming.

[0019] Technical solution

[0020] To achieve the above objectives, the pouch cell according to the present invention comprises: a battery housing made of a laminate, the laminate including an outer coating, a metal layer and an inner adhesive layer; an electrode assembly housed in the battery housing; and a foam layer coated on the outer surface of the outer coating of either a first surface or a second surface of the electrode assembly housing portion of the battery housing.

[0021] The outer coating can be configured to have a laminated structure comprising one or more layers, and the outermost layer of the outer coating can be made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0022] The foam layer may include polyurethane (PU) foam.

[0023] The thickness of the foam layer can be configured to have a thickness deviation determined according to the degree of expansion of each region of the battery casing.

[0024] The thickness of the foam layer can be configured to be thinner in the areas of the battery casing where the foam layer expands more.

[0025] Double-sided tape can be added to the outer surface of the outer coating of the first or second surface of the electrode assembly housing, where no foam layer has been added.

[0026] This invention provides a method for manufacturing a pouch cell. Specifically, the method includes the steps of accommodating an electrode assembly in a battery casing made of a laminate and sealing the battery casing; and the step of forming a foam layer on the outer surface of the battery casing, wherein the foam layer is formed on the outer surface of an outer coating of either a first surface or a second surface of the electrode assembly accommodating portion of the battery casing.

[0027] The step of forming the foam layer can be the process of forming polyurethane foam.

[0028] The method may include a step of adhering double-sided tape to the outer surface of the first or second surface of the electrode assembly receiving portion where no foam layer has been formed.

[0029] The present invention provides a battery module, comprising: a battery cell stack including pouch cells; and a module housing configured to house the battery cell stack, wherein the battery cell stack is configured to have a structure in which the pouch cells are arranged in close contact with each other without additional buffering members.

[0030] A battery cell stack may include: a first battery cell having a foam layer added to the outer surface of the battery casing; and a second battery cell without a foam layer.

[0031] A first battery cell can be disposed between consecutively disposed second battery cells.

[0032] Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a battery module. Specifically, the method includes: the step of preparing a battery cell stack comprising pouch-type battery cells; and the step of housing the battery cell stack in a module housing, wherein the battery cell stack is configured to have a structure in which the pouch-type battery cells are arranged in close contact with each other without additional cushioning members.

[0033] Each pouch cell can be configured to have the following structure: a foam layer is coated on the outer surface of an outer coating on either the first or second surface of the electrode assembly housing of the battery casing.

[0034] The steps for preparing a battery cell stack can be to repeatedly perform the process of continuously setting up a second battery cell and setting up a first battery cell, wherein the outer surface of the battery casing of each second battery cell is not covered with a foam layer, while the outer surface of the battery casing of the first battery cell is covered with a foam layer.

[0035] Furthermore, the present invention can provide various combinations of the above solutions.

[0036] Beneficial effects

[0037] As can be clearly seen from the above, in this invention, the foam layer is only provided in the part of the soft-pack battery cell where the volume change is large, thereby minimizing the increase in weight of the soft-pack battery cell due to the addition of the foam layer.

[0038] Furthermore, the foam layer is formed on the outer coating of the pouch cell, thus eliminating the need for a separate component to form the foam layer.

[0039] Furthermore, by completing the process of forming a foam layer on the outer surface of the battery casing of the assembled pouch battery cell, the time required to manufacture the foam pad separately can be reduced, thus reducing the manufacturing time.

[0040] Furthermore, the thickness of the foam layer can be adjusted according to the increase in the thickness of the battery cell, thereby taking into account the expansion characteristics of the battery cell and pre-forming a foam layer with a predetermined thickness, which simplifies the assembly process of the battery module.

[0041] In addition, a foam layer and double-sided adhesive tape are provided in the battery casing, which can fix the battery cells and reduce the expansion of the battery cells. Attached Figure Description

[0042] Figure 1 These are plan views and vertical cross-sectional views of a single soft-pack battery cell according to the first embodiment.

[0043] Figure 2 yes Figure 1An exploded perspective view of a pouch cell.

[0044] Figure 3 These are perspective views and partial enlarged views of a single soft-pack battery cell according to the second embodiment.

[0045] Figure 4 This is a vertical cross-sectional view of a pouch cell before and after expansion according to the second and third embodiments.

[0046] Figure 5 This is a front view of the battery cell stack according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0047] Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, enabling those skilled in the art to readily implement these preferred embodiments. However, in describing the working principle of the preferred embodiments of the invention, detailed descriptions of known functions and configurations included herein will be omitted where such descriptions might obscure the subject matter of the invention.

[0048] Furthermore, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to parts that perform similar functions or operations. Where a part is described throughout the specification as being connected to another part, this means not only that the one part can be directly connected to the other part, but also that the one part can be indirectly connected to the other part through yet another part. Moreover, including an element does not mean excluding other elements, but rather that these elements may be further included unless otherwise specified.

[0049] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the description of elements implemented by limitation or addition can be applied to all inventions without limiting any particular invention.

[0050] Furthermore, in the description of the invention and the claims of this application, unless otherwise stated, the singular form is intended to include the plural form.

[0051] Furthermore, in the description of this invention and the claims of this application, unless otherwise stated, "or" includes "and". Therefore, "including A or B" refers to three cases: including A, including B, and including both A and B.

[0052] In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0053] Figure 1 These are plan views and vertical cross-sectional views of a single soft-pack battery cell according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of a pouch cell.

[0054] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 According to the invention, the pouch cell is configured to have the following structure: an electrode assembly 103 is housed in a battery housing 101 made of a laminate, and a foam layer 110 is coated onto a portion of the outer surface of the battery housing 101, namely, the outer surface of the electrode assembly housing 120.

[0055] The electrode assembly 103 may be a bidirectional electrode assembly having electrode leads 102 consisting of positive and negative leads protruding in opposite directions, or it may be a unidirectional electrode assembly having positive and negative leads protruding in the same direction.

[0056] Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the type of electrode assembly 103. The electrode assembly may be configured as: a jelly roll (wound) type assembly having a structure in which long plate-type positive electrodes and long plate-type negative electrodes are wound together with a separator inserted therebetween; a stacked electrode assembly having a structure in which multiple positive electrodes cut to a predetermined size and multiple negative electrodes cut to a predetermined size are stacked sequentially with a separator inserted therebetween; a stacked folded electrode assembly having a structure in which a predetermined number of positive electrodes and a predetermined number of negative electrodes are wound together and stacked with a separator inserted therebetween in each cell; or a stacked stacked type assembly having a structure in which cell units are stacked and layered with a separator inserted therebetween.

[0057] The battery casing 101 can be configured as a structure having an outer coating, an air and moisture barrier metal layer, and a hot-melt inner adhesive layer stacked together.

[0058] The outer coating is used to protect the battery cells from external influences. Therefore, the outer coating is required to exhibit excellent resistance to the external environment, thus requiring excellent tensile strength and weather resistance relative to its thickness. For example, polyester-based resins (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), or polyethylene naphthalate (PEN)), polyolefin-based resins (e.g., polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP)), polystyrene-based resins (e.g., polystyrene), polyvinyl chloride resins, or polyvinylidene chloride resins can be used. These materials can be used alone or as a mixture of two or more materials, and can include a laminated structure with two or more layers. For example, the outer coating can have a laminated structure composed of an oriented nylon (ONy) film and PET, with the outermost layer of the outer coating being composed of PET.

[0059] The metal layer can be made of aluminum (Al) or aluminum alloys to enhance the strength of the battery casing, in addition to preventing the introduction of foreign matter (such as gas and moisture) or electrolyte leakage. Examples of aluminum alloys may include alloy numbers 8079, 1N30, 8021, 3003, 3004, 3005, 3104, and 3105. These materials can be used alone or in combination of two or more materials.

[0060] Polymer resins that exhibit heat-melting properties, low hygroscopicity to electrolytes, and do not swell or corrode by electrolytes can be used as inner adhesive layers. For example, the inner adhesive layer can be made of cast polypropylene (CPP) film.

[0061] The foam layer 110 is a component added to accommodate or mitigate the volume expansion of the pouch cell. The foam layer 110 can be applied to the outer surface of the outer coating of either the first surface 121 or the first surface 122 of the electrode assembly receiving portion 120 where the volume of the pouch cell changes significantly.

[0062] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The battery casing 101 of the pouch cell 100 shown includes an upper casing 101a and a lower casing 101b, wherein an electrode assembly receiving portion 120 is formed in the lower casing 101b, while no electrode assembly receiving portion is formed in the upper casing 101a, and the upper casing 101a defines the upper surface of the electrode assembly receiving portion 120. The outer peripheries of the upper casing 101a and the lower casing 101b are heat-fused to form a sealing portion 105.

[0063] Specifically, the foam layer 110 may be formed only in the middle of the first surface 121 of the electrode assembly receiving portion 120, excluding the sealing portion 105, or it may be applied to the outer surface of the second surface 122 of the electrode assembly receiving portion 120. Alternatively, the foam layer may be formed on both the first surface 121 and the second surface 122.

[0064] Any material corresponding to the foam polymer can be used as the foam layer 110, which has a structure capable of accommodating the expansion volume of the battery casing. For example, polyurethane foam, foamed silicone pads, or polypropylene can be used.

[0065] Figure 3 These are perspective views and partial enlarged views of a single soft-pack battery cell according to the second embodiment.

[0066] exist Figure 3 The enlarged view provided at the top is a vertical cross-sectional view of the pouch cell 200 shown below, taken along line A-A'.

[0067] Reference Figure 3The battery casing 201 of the pouch cell 200 includes an upper casing 201a and a lower casing 201b, wherein an electrode assembly receiving portion is formed in each of the upper casing 201a and the lower casing 201b.

[0068] Assuming the upper surface of the electrode assembly receiving portion formed in the upper housing 201a is the first surface 221 and the lower surface of the electrode assembly receiving portion formed in the lower housing 201b is the second surface 222, the foam layer 210 can be formed on the outer surface of the outer coating of the first surface 221, and double-sided tape (not shown) can be adhered to the outer surface of the outer coating of the second surface 222. Alternatively, with Figure 3 As shown, a foam layer can be formed on the outer surface of the outer coating of the second surface 222, and double-sided tape can be adhered to the outer surface of the outer coating of the first surface 221.

[0069] When double-sided tape is applied, the relative positions of the battery cells can be fixed when the battery cells are arranged in close contact with each other to form a battery cell stack.

[0070] Figure 3 The enlarged view provided at the top shows the expanded state of the battery casing 201. The volume increase is greatest in the middle of the battery casing. Therefore, the middle of the foam layer 210 is compressed the most. However, the thickness of the foam layer 210 can be configured to be greater than the thickness increment of the battery casing, so that even if the volume of the battery casing 201 increases, the total thickness of the battery cells, including the foam layer, will not increase.

[0071] Figure 4 This is a vertical cross-sectional view of a pouch cell before and after expansion according to the second and third embodiments.

[0072] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 4 (a) shows the basis before and after its expansion. Figure 3 The second embodiment of the soft-pack battery cell shown is as follows: Figure 4 (b) shows a pouch cell according to the third embodiment before and after its expansion.

[0073] Reference Figure 4 (a) The foam layer 210 has a uniform thickness. The pressure on the foam layer 210 is greatest in the middle of the battery casing 201 (where the battery casing expands the most), and the pressure on the foam layer 210 gradually decreases towards the periphery of the battery casing. Therefore, when the battery casing 201 expands, the middle of the foam layer 210 has the smallest thickness and the highest density. However, even at this time, the total thickness of the pouch cell including the foam layer can be equal to the total thickness of the pouch cell including the foam layer before the battery casing expands.

[0074] Reference Figure 4 (b) The thickness of the foam layer 310 is formed to have a thickness deviation determined according to the degree of expansion of each region of the battery housing 301.

[0075] Specifically, the thickness of the foam layer 310 is formed such that the portion of the foam layer where the battery casing expands more is smaller, wherein the thickness of the foam layer 310 adhering to the middle of the battery casing is less than the thickness of the foam layer 310 adhering to the periphery of the battery casing, and the thickness of the foam layer 310 gradually increases toward the periphery of the battery casing.

[0076] However, when the battery casing 301 expands, the middle portion of the battery casing bulges out due to the largest increase in volume. As described above, when the battery casing expands, the foam layer is compressed, and the inner surface of the middle portion of the foam layer deforms into a bulge, thereby causing the outer surface of the foam layer to flatten. Therefore, in a pouch cell including the foam layer 310, the thickness of the thickest portion of the battery casing before expansion and the thickness of the thickest portion of the battery casing after expansion can be equal to each other.

[0077] In a specific example, the method of manufacturing a pouch cell may include the steps of housing an electrode assembly in a battery housing made of a laminate and sealing the battery housing, and the step of forming a foam layer on the outer surface of the battery housing, wherein the foam layer may be formed on the outer surface of an outer coating of either a first surface or a second surface of the electrode assembly housing of the battery housing.

[0078] The step of forming a foam layer can be performed through the process of forming polyurethane foam.

[0079] In addition, the process may include adhering double-sided tape to the outer surface of the first or second surface of the electrode assembly receiving portion where no foam layer has been formed.

[0080] As described above, the pouch cell according to the present invention is manufactured by forming a foam layer on the first or second surface of the electrode assembly housing (the first or second surface is the outer surface of a typical pouch cell), and therefore the present invention is applicable to conventional pouch cells.

[0081] Figure 5 This is a front view of the battery cell stack according to the present invention.

[0082] Figure 5 (a) is a front view of the battery cell stack according to the fourth embodiment. Figure 5 (b) is a front view of the battery cell stack according to the fifth embodiment.

[0083] Reference Figure 5(a) and 5(b), Figure 5 (a) The battery cell stack 100 is configured such that 16 pouch cell 100s are stacked in close contact with each other. Figure 5 (b) The battery cell stack is configured such that pouch cell 300 without a foam layer on the outer surface of the battery housing 401 and pouch cell 400 with a foam layer 410 on the outer surface of the battery housing 401 are stacked in close contact with each other. With the pouch cell 300 in close contact with each other and without additional cushioning components, the battery cell stack can be housed in a module housing (not shown) and thus assembled into a battery module.

[0084] exist Figure 5 In (a), only pouch cell 100 is provided, wherein foam layer 110 is added to the right side surface of each pouch cell 100, and double-sided tape 130 is adhered to the left side surface of the pouch cell 100.

[0085] The addition of double-sided adhesive tape 130 facilitates the bonding and positioning of adjacent pouch cell 100. However, pouch cell 100 without double-sided adhesive tape 130 is also clearly within the scope of this invention.

[0086] like Figure 5 As shown in (a), when the battery cell stack is composed of the same type of pouch cell, a process of forming a foam layer in all pouch cells can be performed during the manufacturing of the pouch cell, thereby unifying the manufacturing process of the pouch cell.

[0087] Figure 5 (b) shows a battery cell stack formed by repeatedly performing the process of setting up three pouch cell 300 and one pouch cell 400.

[0088] Specifically, one pouch cell 400 can be set for every three pouch cell 300, and the thickness of the foam layer 410 added to the pouch cell 400 can be a thickness that can adapt to the overall thickness change when the three pouch cell 300 and the single pouch cell 400 expand.

[0089] In other words, the thickness variation of each pouch cell can be set based on the composition or characteristics of the electrode assembly, and the thickness of the foam layer can be set taking this thickness variation into account.

[0090] Before and after the expansion of the pouch cell, it can maintain uniformity. Figure 5 (a) and Figure 5(b) shows the width of each battery cell stack on the x-axis. Therefore, although the volume of the battery cells changes due to expansion and contraction, the shape of the battery module does not change, thereby providing a battery module with improved safety.

[0091] The method for manufacturing a battery module according to the present invention may include the steps of: preparing a battery cell stack comprising pouch-type battery cells; and the step of housing the battery cell stack in a module housing, wherein the battery cell stack may be configured to have a structure in which pouch-type battery cells are arranged in close contact with each other without additional buffer members.

[0092] Each pouch cell can be configured to have a structure in which a foam layer is applied to the outer surface of an outer coating on either a first surface or a second surface of an electrode assembly that houses a portion of the battery housing. Alternatively, each pouch cell can be configured to have a foam layer formed on the outer surface of an outer coating on either a first surface or a second surface, and double-sided tape adhered to the other surface on which no foam layer is formed.

[0093] The steps for preparing a battery cell stack can be performed by repeatedly setting up a second battery cell and setting up a first battery cell, wherein the outer surface of the battery casing of each second battery cell is not covered with a foam layer, while the outer surface of the battery casing of the first battery cell is covered with a foam layer.

[0094] Alternatively, the step of preparing the battery cell stack can be a process of continuously arranging only the first battery cells, wherein each first battery cell has a foam layer added to the outer surface of the battery casing.

[0095] After the battery cell stack is prepared, it can be housed in a module housing, or the battery cell stack can be prepared while the individual battery cells are housed in the module housing.

[0096] As described above, in the pouch cell and battery module according to the present invention, a foam layer is disposed on the outer surface of the outer coating of either the first surface or the second surface of the electrode assembly receiving portion, thereby absorbing and buffering the expansion of the pouch cell, thus preventing the expansion and deformation of the battery module caused by the volume change of the pouch cell.

[0097] Based on the above description, those skilled in the art will understand that various applications and modifications can be made within the scope of this invention.

[0098] (Explanation of reference numerals in the attached diagram)

[0099] 100, 200, 300, 400: Soft-pack battery cells

[0100] 101, 201, 301, 401: Battery casing

[0101] 101a, 201a: upper shell

[0102] 101b, 201b: Lower shell

[0103] 102: Electrode leads

[0104] 103: Electrode Assembly

[0105] 105: Sealing part

[0106] 110, 210, 310, 410: Foam layer

[0107] 120: Electrode assembly housing

[0108] 121, 221: First surface

[0109] 122, 222: Second surface

[0110] 130: Double-sided tape

[0111] [Industrial Applicability]

[0112] As is evident from the above, in this invention, the foam layer is only provided in the portion of the pouch cell where the volume change is large, thereby minimizing the increase in weight of the pouch cell due to the addition of the foam layer.

[0113] Furthermore, the foam layer is formed on the outer coating of the pouch cell, thus eliminating the need for a separate component to form the foam layer.

[0114] Furthermore, by completing the process of forming a foam layer on the outer surface of the battery casing of the assembled pouch battery cell, the time required to manufacture the foam pad separately can be reduced, thus reducing the manufacturing time.

[0115] Furthermore, the thickness of the foam layer can be adjusted according to the increase in the thickness of the battery cell, thereby taking into account the expansion characteristics of the battery cell and pre-forming a foam layer with a predetermined thickness, which simplifies the assembly process of the battery module.

[0116] In addition, a foam layer and double-sided adhesive tape are provided in the battery casing, which can fix the battery cells and reduce the expansion of the battery cells.

Claims

1. A pouch cell, comprising: The battery casing is made of a laminate, the laminate comprising an outer coating layer, a metal layer, and an inner adhesive layer; Electrode assembly, housed within the battery casing; as well as A foam layer is applied to the outer surface of the outer coating of either the first or second surface of the electrode assembly receiving portion of the battery housing. Polyurethane foam, silicone foam pads, or polypropylene are used as the foam layer. The thickness of the foam layer in the middle of the battery casing is less than the thickness of the foam layer in the peripheral portion of the battery casing, and the thickness of the foam layer gradually increases from the middle of the battery casing toward the peripheral portion. Wherein, the thickness of the thickest part of the battery casing before expansion and the thickness of the thickest part of the battery casing after expansion are the same, and When the battery casing expands, the inner surface of the middle part of the foam layer is configured to deform into a convex shape, and the outer surface of the foam layer is configured to deform into a flat shape.

2. The soft-pack battery cell according to claim 1, wherein, The outer coating is configured to have a laminated structure comprising one or more layers, and The outermost layer of the outer coating is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

3. The soft-pack battery cell according to claim 1, wherein, Double-sided tape is added to the outer surface of the outer coating of the first or second surface of the electrode assembly receiving portion, where the foam layer is not added.

4. A method for manufacturing a pouch cell according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the method comprising: The steps of housing the electrode assembly in a battery housing made of laminate and sealing the battery housing; as well as The step of forming a foam layer on the outer surface of the battery casing, The foam layer is formed on the outer surface of the outer coating of either the first surface or the second surface of the electrode assembly receiving portion of the battery housing. Polyurethane foam, foamed silicone pads, or polypropylene are used as the foam layer.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein, The step of forming the foam layer is a process of forming polyurethane foam.

6. The method of claim 4, comprising the step of adhering double-sided tape to the outer surface of the first or second surface of the electrode assembly receiving portion where the foam layer is not formed.

7. A battery module comprising at least one pouch cell according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the battery module comprising: A stack of battery cells, including the pouch cell; as well as The module housing is configured to accommodate the stack of battery cells. The battery cell stack is configured to have the pouch-type battery cells arranged in close contact with each other without any additional buffering components.

8. The battery module according to claim 7, wherein, The battery cell stack includes: The first battery cell has a foam layer added to the outer surface of the battery casing; and The second battery cell did not have the aforementioned foam layer added.

9. The battery module according to claim 8, wherein, A first battery cell is disposed between consecutively disposed second battery cells.

10. A method for manufacturing a battery module according to claim 7, the method comprising: The step of preparing a battery cell stack including the aforementioned pouch-type battery cells; as well as The step of housing the battery cells within the module housing. The battery cell stack is configured to have the pouch-type battery cells arranged in close contact with each other without any additional buffering components.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, Each of the pouch cell is configured to have the following structure: a foam layer is applied to the outer surface of the outer coating of either the first or the second surface of the electrode assembly housing of the battery casing.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The step of preparing the battery cell stack is to repeatedly perform the process of continuously setting up a second battery cell and setting up a first battery cell, wherein the outer surface of the battery casing of each second battery cell is not covered with the foam layer, while the outer surface of the battery casing of the first battery cell is covered with the foam layer.

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